Nagaraja Prakasam

Nagaraja (Naga) Prakasam is a versatile and passionate leader with 2+ decades of global experience (decade in the USA and a decade+ in India). As a full time angel investor, invested in 19 start-ups and seen 4 exits. Spearheaded Impact thinking in Indian Angel Network and co-founded IANImpact. His personal mantra is “Start-ups should focus on India’s strength – people, problems, Tech (PPT)”

He believes in hands on approach and travels extensively in rural areas understanding the need first hand. Sought after as thought leader in Impact space and inspired many students as a motivational speaker in number of colleges. Delivered C.K.Prahalad memorial lecture at WorldCoCreationDay. Chaired “Green Revolution 2.0 – Food Security and the role of innovation” at 10th CII Innovation Summit. Spoke at launch of Bank of Innovations and Ideas (BII) by Ministry of Rural Development along with Dr.Abdul Kalam. Awarded “Successful Person 2015” by Sangam4, Chennai. Proud to join CM of Rajasthan, to unveil state startup policy.

Earlier in his career, as President of CDC Software (world’s 12th largest enterprise software company) South & Southeast Asia, managed sales and India Engineering Centre of Excellence. During the 16 years tenure, grew from Systems Engineer to President and involved in growing the company from $50M to $400M with ups and downs. At the age of 35, youngest executive to be given country head responsibilities. Intrapreneurial culture that he inculcated made the company to be shortlisted for prestigious NExT Practices Award for “Promoting Innovation & Entrepreneurship” by NASSCOM.

Currently residing in Bangalore, Naga holds a B.E. degree from Thiagarajar College of Engineering, India and an MBA degree from the San Diego/Kennesaw State University, United States.